By Adeyinka Adeniran
Former Deputy National Chairman, South, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has flayed the statement of President Bola Tinubu to the Brazilian President that there is no more corruption in Nigeria, saying that it is a big lie.
He belied the statement on Thursday while featuring on the “Frontline” programme of the Eagle 102.5 FM Ilese Ijebu, which was monitored. According to him, President Tinubu could have said that corruption was being fought just like it obtains in several other countries of the world.
His words, “Everybody knows that what the President said is not true. He only went there to market his people. Maybe the statement the President made to the Brazilian President is a prayer that corruption may no longer exist in Nigeria. You know there is nothing hidden anymore in the world because of modern technology. What goes on here, instantly is heard the world over. So, they will decide whether corruption is still here or not. But for him to go there and say there is no more corruption, is a lie.l
“If he had gone there and said we are starting to put an end to corruption, it would have been better. Those people will not take us seriously because they have relations here. My paternal grandmother came from Brazil. I have been to Bahia State about two times myself and I know their affinity to Yoruba land in their way of dressing, foods etc. Even, certain time, we celebrate the Brazilian Festival here at Campus Square near Igbosere in Lagos. We have Brazilian names like Izuza, Oseko in Lagos Island here. They have their origins from Brazil. We have the Brazilian Quarters also where there is Catholic Church.
“So, it is a little bit off the mark to say that corruption is over in Nigeria. Maybe our President was so excited by the reception thus making him to say that. The people there know that it was a lie. He thinks there is no corruption in Brazil or in America or everywhere? To say there is no more corruption in Nigeria is a big lie. We are managing it and it is more sensible to say that, rather than to say there is not. It is a huge joke. Probably, he should have used certain words that “we are fighting it”. Even in Brazil, they are trying a former President for some criminal charges of wanting to overthrow the government, and all. Saying there is no more corruption here in Nigeria will make the Brazilians think we are from the outer space”, he said.
On the zoning of the Presidential ticket for the 2027 election to the South, the elder statesman said it is the best thing to happen to the party, noting that some party leaders made mistake in 2023 and it cost the PDP a huge defeat. According to him, the principles laid down by the founding fathers of the party including: Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Jim Nwobodo, Solomon Lar, among others (who called themselves G-14), on zoning arrangement, were shunned, thus causing crisis within the party.
“Those founding PDP leaders sat together and asked why was Nigeria remaining a country and not a Nation. In a Nation, there is respect for everybody, whether you are from the minority tribe or majority tribe. Secondly, your religion has no bearing in being able to manage the resources of the country for the benefit of the people. These were the two devils that the British left behind for us, and it is not tribalism, but religious bigotry. Whether you are from the minority or majority tribe, the Almighty God gave everybody brain and wisdom as He pleases. It is by adhering to the zonal principle that we can take our country Nigeria to nationhood. The then leaders therefore decided to divide Nigeria into six geo-political zones with six top positions. Whether you are a minority or majority, you will go home with any of these top positions.
“Why will you be in a group and only one section will be managing and continue to manage at the expense of others? Are others mumus? No, it won’t work. That has been our problem. And that has been one of the distractions that have made this country not to progress. The majority will have their way but the minority will have nothing to say. After eight years, all the positions in the North will come to the South and all positions in the South will go to the North. The APC has even followed the dictum from our Constitution and copied it”, he said.
Unfortunately, Chief George said, those principles were jettisoned in 2023 by the PDP leaders after President Mohammad Buhari completed his eight year term. Atiku emerged as presidential candidate while Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, also from the North, insisted on remaining the national chairman. To George, that was the mistake and that zoning the presidential ticket to the South for the 2027 election is aimed at correcting that past mistake.
